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Old 09-13-2011, 03:41 AM
 
8 posts, read 9,218 times
Reputation: 10

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We are moving to Jacksonville for one year so that I can complete an internship and finish school. It's just the two of us in our late 20's and my pups. We live just north of Tampa now, and I think the areas are pretty similar in that there are some nice areas outside of the city, but ones to definitely avoid. That being said, I would like some advice of the best areas to move. Ideally, we would want to rent a house, and the price is not a huge issue (rent seems a little lower there than here). I would be commuting to the downtown area on off hours, and I don't want to live downtown. I drive 30 miles a day now, so I don't mind a commute. We like suburban areas better. We are also not planning on staying longer than a year, I can't take the heat! We moved to Tampa from Chicago 7 years ago, and didn't know anything about the area. It was a horrible learning curve I don't want to repeat, so any advice would be appreciated!
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Old 09-13-2011, 05:59 AM
 
Location: On the banks of the St Johns River
3,863 posts, read 9,507,321 times
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Riverside! Without a doubt, it is the original suburban area of Jax. It's convenient to the downtown area and its also one of the top rated neighborhoods in Jax. Very walkable and lots of trees for shade. Plenty of rentals in all price ranges and styles of homes, condos or apartments. Plus something very important for the pups lot's of city parks for them to walk and play in.(something your not going to get in newer suburbia) Now if you want a truly nice upscale suburb try the Ortega area. (if price is not a concern) Welcome to Jax and Good Luck in your move!
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Old 09-13-2011, 07:17 AM
 
278 posts, read 664,715 times
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Riverside or San Marco are cool areas if you want something suburban-like but close to downtown.

What about the beach? I think everybody should live at the beach for at least a year, like I did in my 20s. The commute downtown will suck, but... it's the beach!
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Old 09-13-2011, 09:01 AM
 
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I'll definitely check out Riverside, I've seen that area come up in other posts. That just might be a little too city for me. To give you an idea, our dream is to go live in the Rocky Mountains one day. I'm a little wary of living on the beach, but I haven't seen the Jax beach area. We live pretty much in the middle of nowhere here. How are the areas around Duval county?
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Old 09-13-2011, 09:52 AM
 
Location: On the banks of the St Johns River
3,863 posts, read 9,507,321 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doodle Poodle View Post
I'll definitely check out Riverside, I've seen that area come up in other posts. That just might be a little too city for me. To give you an idea, our dream is to go live in the Rocky Mountains one day. I'm a little wary of living on the beach, but I haven't seen the Jax beach area. We live pretty much in the middle of nowhere here. How are the areas around Duval county?

Riverside is not pure city, but it's not in any way rural either. It's a artsy eclectic neighborhood that happens to be close to downtown. Like San Marco but with more amenities.

I live in the middle of nowhere, way out on the west side of Duval County where it changes to Nassau County, just south of Cary State Forest. I love it out here my closest neighbor is maybe 1 mile away. But that's not typical for Jax. All areas of Duval county are different, but a lot are just the same. one subdivision after another. All just separated by power lines and strip malls and small greenbelts.

Avoid Jax Beach, but definitely do look at Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. And if your pockets are bottomless Ponte Vedre Beach as well.

If you want remoteness stay away from suburbia. Go way out west or even north and look for just a house on land by itself, not in a subdivision. You won't find it east towards the beaches or south towards St Johns county either. Maybe in St Johns county in certain rural areas, but they are diminishing rapidly as suburbia takes over.
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Old 09-14-2011, 06:02 AM
 
8 posts, read 9,218 times
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Thanks for your help! We will definitely make a trip up there to check a few areas out. It might be nice to live somewhere less rural for a bit, it is only a year. There are quite a few options, but at least I know where to start now.
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Old 09-14-2011, 06:41 AM
 
278 posts, read 664,715 times
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Hey Doodle - when I lived at the beach, it was Neptune Beach. Jax Beach is a little too rowdy. Neptune Beach is a cool place to spend a year. It was me and two other guys and we paid $1800 a month for a two story three or four bedroom house. There's cheaper stuff out there though probably not as close to the beach as we were (2 blocks from the ocean).
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Old 09-15-2011, 06:59 AM
 
Location: satellite beach fl
163 posts, read 449,874 times
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How is rent price not an issue if you are in college??
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Old 09-15-2011, 10:56 AM
 
278 posts, read 664,715 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightman_Cometh View Post
How is rent price not an issue if you are in college??
Well - some of us, as college students, were in school full time and working full time. We made it happen. Roommates help.

My wife and I both worked and put ourselves thru school along with lots of other people. We still both work and contribute to the mortgage. Maybe this young couple does the same thing. If you're determined, you can work and go to school and live someplace halfway decent. Especially if they're used to paying much higher rents than what Jax offers.
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Old 09-15-2011, 12:19 PM
 
402 posts, read 1,055,863 times
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I would look in the east arlington area. Lots of houses, rent goes for about 1000 and up for a house. Crime very low and about 20 mins from downtown. Also about 10 mins or so to the beach.

If you look on craigs list, look for areas off kernan blvd, hodges, san pablo. You will find many nice houses for rent.

I know what you mean about the heat and I am moving to your dream spot in less than 2 weeks, cant wait! Good luck with your move.
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